Keyboard mechanism for printing telegraph apparatus



H. L. KRUM Gain 25;, 1932 KEYBOARD MECHANISM FOR PRINTING TELEGRAPH APPARATUS Filed Sept. 20, 1929 INVENTOR.

A TTORNEY.

Patented Oct. 25, I932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HOWARD L. KRUM, OF KENILWORTH, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR T0 TELE'IYLE CORPORATION,

OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE KEYBOARD MECHANISM FOR PRINTING TELEGRAPH APPARATUS Application filed September 20, 1929. Serial Ho. 394,067. I

The invention relates to permutation keyboard mechanisms in which a plurality of keys are arranged to position a set of permutation elements in diflerent combinations. Such keyboards are employed principally in telegraph systems for transmitting signals or perforating tape in accordance with a code made up of permutations of a definite number of two different conditions. In such apparatus, each key represents a particular character or code signal and is arranged to effect the setting of a set of permutation elements, one for each unit of the code, in a corresponding combination distinctive ofthe particular character or signal.

In certain permutation keyboards now in use, a set of code bars are provided on their longitudinal edges with teeth having inclined cam edges, and each ke lever is arranged to engage the cam edges 0 the code bars to shift certain of the bars longitudinally in one direction and the others in the opposite direction, to thereby position the set of permutation elements in a characteristic combination. Such keyboards can be rapidly operated since each key lever either positively advances or retracts all of the code bars, and springs which on account of friction of the parts may be slow-acting, are not depended upon to restore the code bars. Also, when any one key is depressed, such code bars serve to lock out the other keys. But the inclined cam edges of the teeth must be accurately formed, are liable to considerable wear due to rubbing of the key levers thereon, and since the inclined cam edges tend to deflect the key levers laterally, an effective lock for preventing the simultaneous operation of two keys is not afforded in case the key levers spring or yield laterally.

The present invention seeks to provide an improved permutation keyboard aving the advantages of the keyboard above described, and which obviates the disadvantages. In accordance with this improved keyboard, pairs of code bars are provided, one pair for each permutation element of the code, and each key is arranged to engage and move one of the bars of each pair transversely to thereby either advance or retract the correspond ing permutation element. Also, connections are provided between the bars of each pair whereby the key-actuated movement of one bar will move the other inthe op osite direction. With this arrangement, t e ermutation elements are posltively positloned by each key lever and, since thebars and operating levers all move in the same direction,their engaging edges can be at right angles, instead of inclined, to their paths of movement, and wear on theseparts is thus avoided.

Furthermore, the arrangement affords a good lock-out for preventing the operationof more than one key lever at a time, and such locking is not affected by the lateral springing or movement of the key levers and bars, so that the latter can be inexpensively formed of thin sheet metal.

The invention consists in the foregoin and other features hereinafter set forth in etail,

illustrated in the preferred form in the accompanying drawing and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims. While, as stated, the present improvement can be applied to different keyboard transmitters perforators and the like, it is shown applied to mechanism for perforating tape in accordance with a codehaving six units or elements.

In the drawing: v v i Fig. 1 is a partial plan view of the essential elements of a perforator having the present improved keyboard mechanism.

Fig. 2 is a detail section on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are enlarged detail views of portions of the code*bars shown in difl'erent positions.

Figs. 6 and 7 are detail sections on the lines 6-6 and 7-7 respectively, of Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a detail section on the line 88 of Fig. 2. 1

The perforator mechanism shown comprises a set ofpunches 10 movable through openings in upper and lower guide plates 11 and 12 and cooperating with a die plate 13 to perforate a tape 14, the plates 11 and 13 being spaced apart to form a tape gui e. The punches 10 are selectively operated by an actuating member or hammer 15 and a set of permutation elements 16 corresponding in number to the punches 10. a

The hammer 15 is arranged to oscillate u ,on a pivot 17 and forms the armature lever of a magnet 18. The selectors or permutation elements 16 are movable back and forth over the face of the actuating member or hammer 15, and are adapted to be'positioned in different combinations with their outer ends either in advanced, operative positions beneath the corresponding punches, or in inoperative positions out of line with the punches. Upon each setting of the elements 16, the ma et 18 is energized and'the actuator 15 osclllated to form a row of perforations in the tape corresponding to the setting of the elements. The punches are withdrawn from the tape by a spring-actuated stripper plate 19.

Also, each operation of the hammer 15 effects the operation of a unch 20, which forms a row of feed holes a apted to be engaged by the pin teeth of a feed wheel 21. The latter is provided with a ratchet wheel arranged to be engaged by a feed dog 22 which is pivoted on the end of the hammer or armature lever 15. A spring 23 connected to the feed dog serves both to hold the latter in enga ement with the ratchet of the feed whee and also normally holds the armature lever against an adjustable stop 24. When the magnet is energized to effect the punching ofa row of perforations in the tape, the armature lever is moved against a limiting stop 25 and the dog 22 moves idly over the teeth of its ratchet. When the magnet is .deenergized, the punches are withdrawn from the tape by the stripper plate 19, and spring 23 restores the armature lever and dog 22 to their normal positions thereby advancing thefeed wheel 21 and feeding the tape 14 one ste L 'Fhe permutation elements 16 are set in different combination by aplurality of' key levers 26 mounted on a pivot rod 27 and nor- "mally upheld in raised position by individual springs 28, the levers being rovided, as

' usual, at their forward ends wit keys 29 ar* ranged in banks.

Beneath the key levers extend a number of pairs of code bars and, since in the form shown there are six permutation elements, a

corresponding number of pairs of code bars are employed. Each pair comprises a bar a bars.

and a bar I), and these bars are all provided at one end with vertical slots or notches 30 which fit over spacing rollers 31 mounted on a shaft 32. The bars are thus held against longitudinal movement, but are free to be shifted vertically. At their opposite ends, the bars are formed with shallow notches 33 which extend over similar rollers 31 on a second shaft 32. These rollers simply serve as stops to limit the downward movement of the means I Pairs of rock arms 34 are pivotally mounted on the shafts 32 and one pair of rock arms is interposed between each pair of code bars, and the bars and arms are held in proper spaced relation by collars 35 mounted on a pair rocks the arms and lifts the other bar. I

. Each air of rock arms is pivoted to a longitudlnally movable permutation bar 37 and, if desired, the latter could be connected directly to the corresponding selector or permutation element 16. But, in the form shown, the connections between the bars 37 and the elements 16 are effected by a plurality of levers 38 mounted on a pivot 39 and connected at their ends to the bars and elements. With this arrangement, the depression of any a bar of a air of code bars will move the correspon ing permutation element, to its advanced or operative position, and will also" lift the associated permutation bar I). Also, the depression of any b bar will lift the associated a bar and retract the corresponding permutation element to its inoperative position.

Each of the key levers 26 which extends across the code bars is arranged, when operated, to engage and depress one of the code bars of each pair and thereby set the same andthe permutation bars or elements in a characteristic combination. Preferably, to effect this, the upper edges of the code bars are notched to provide high and low portions in accordance with the code. Also, the bars of each air are complementary, that is to say, each ar is'the opposite of its mate, the high portions of one bar of a pair being opposite the low portions in the other bar of the same pair. Thus, for example, the particular key lever shown in Fig. 6 is disposed above the high partsof and is arranged to depress the a bars of the first, second and sixth permutation elements, andthe b bars of the third, fourth and fifth elements,.and is disposed above low portions of the mates of these bars. With this arrangement, each key lever, when operated, can depress either v an a or 12 bar of each pair, and lift; the mate of each depressed bar, thereby advancing or retracting the corresponding permutation elements to positively position the same in a characteristic combination. .In Fig. 3, a key is shown depressin an a bar, and-in Fig. 4, a key is shown epressing' a b bar. 3

Also, the connections between the bars of each pair, prevent the simultaneouscomplete depression of more than one key lever. If attempt is made to operate two key levers at the same time, they can only be depressed I part waywhen they will be blocked by the bled. As the key levers only engage the horizontal edges of the high portions of each code fear, only these edges need be accurately formed, and, as such edges of each bar are r in line, this can be readily effected.

For erlecting the operation of the permutation elements, each key lever is arranged to depress a universal bar 40 which is mounted upon the pivot shafts 32 in the same manner as the code bars, and also cooperates with a pair of rock arms "34 But this universal bar lll has no mate, and the rock arms 34' have only forwardly projecting lugs extending beneaththe bar 40. The lower ends of the arms are pivoted to a longitudinally movable bar d'l which is provided at its lefthand end with a restoring spring 42.7,111 the form shown, bar l1, at its right hand end, has an insulating projection 43 which is arranged to engage one of a pair of normally open spring contacts 44: which are interposed in the circuit of the punch magnet 18. With this arrangement, whenever a key is depressed to set the ermutation elements 16 in a particular comblnation, the contacts 44 are engaged to energize magnet 18 and eiiect the operation of the selected punches 10. When the key is released, the spring 42 opens the contacts and de-energizes the magnet. If attem t is made to depress two keys, as shown in ig. 5, the bar 41 is not shifted far enough to engage the contacts.

As stated, the permutation elements could be connected directly to one of the pairs of code bars, but preferably, for convenience in compactly arranging the permutation elements, these parts are connected by the intermediate levers 38, the upper ends of which are. offset and brought closer together as shown in Fig. 8.

Instead ofstoring the character signals in a perforated tape, the code bars could be arranged to selectively condition contacts or contact controlling means of a keyboard transmitter, such as shown for example in the H. L. Krum U. S. Patent No. 1,595,472, to

effect the direct transmission of the signals.

In this case, the universal bar 40 would contransmitter. Other tianges could be made without departure from the scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a telegraph keyboard mechanism, a set of elements, corresponding pairs of code bars for conditioning said eleme-xis in different combination, and a plurality of keys, each arranged to move the bars of every pair transversely of their lengths in opposite directions and selectively condition all of said elements.

2. In a permutation keyboard for telegraph apparatus and the like, a set of elements to be conditioned in diderent combinations, corresponding pairs of code bars movable transversely of their lengths to position, the corresponding element in either one of two positions, and a plurality of key levers each arranged to move one bar or every pair in one direction and the other in the opposite direction to positively position all of said elements.

3. ln a permutation keyboard, set of elements, corresponding pairs of code bars for conditioning said elements in different combinations, and a plurality of keys, each arranged to move the bars of every pair transversely of their lengths in opposite di rections and'selectively condition all of said elements, the bars and elements being an ranged to retain the, setting efiected by any key until the same is changed by the operation of another key.

l. In a keyboard mechanism for telegraph app'aratus and the like, pairs of complementary code bars, one pair for each element of a code, and a plurality of key levers each arranged to positively move the bars of every pair transversely of their lengths in opposite directions and thereby selectively condition all said code bars.

5. In a permutation keyboard, a set of horizontally disposed, vertically movable code bars, arranged in pairs, a plurality of horizontally disposed vertically movable, key-actuated levers extending transversely of and in one-way engagement with the code bars and each arranged to engage and move one of the bars of each pair, means interposed between each pair of bars for moving either bar in the one direction when the other is engaged and shiftedin the opposite direction by a key lever, and a set of elements each positively moved in opposite directions by the bars of one of said pairs.

6. In a permutation keyboard, a set of permutation elements, a set of horizontally disposed vertically movable code bars operatively connected to said elements and arranged in pairs, one pair for each element, the bars of each pair having complementary notched edges and connections'for compelling their vertical movement in opposite directions and for maintaining one bar in its raised and the other in its depressed position and a plurality of key-actuated levers eac arranged to engage the notched edge of one bar of every pair to depress the same and position said permutation elements in different combinatlons.

l 7 In a permutation keyboard, a set of longitudinally movable permutation bars, corresponding pairs of code bars, one pair for each of said permutation bars, connection between the code bars of each pair and the corresponding permutation bar for compelling the movement of the code bars of each pair transversely of their lengths in opposite directions and lengthwise movement of the corresponding permutation bar in opposite directions, each air of code bars havin com plement-ary notc ed edges and a plurality of key-operated levers movable transversely of their lengths and in the same direction as said code bars, each of said levers being arranged to engage the notched edge of one ofthe code bars of each. pair to thereby positivel position all of the code and permutation ars in different combinations, said bars being in normal position and arranged to retain their setting until the same is changed by the operation of a key lever.

8. In a permutation keyboard for telegraph apparatus, a set of permutation elements, a plurality of vertically movable key levers, and horizontally disposed code bars engaged and shifted vertically b said key levers to positively set all of sai elements,

' each in either one of two positions, said elements being arranged to retain'the setting chan ed by the operation of another key.

9. n a permutation keyboard, a set of horizontally disposed code bars, arranged in pairs, onepair for each element of a code, a plurality of vertically movable, key-operated levers arranged to engage said bars and move the same vertically and transversely of their lengths in diflerent combinations,

and connections between the bars for each pair for compelling their vertical movement in opposite directions and for preventing the complete simultaneous operation of two or more key levers.

10. In a permutation key board, a set of code bars arranged in pairs, one pair for each element of a code, the bars of each pair being a connected for transverse movement in opposite directions, and a plurality of key levers.

or each arranged to engage the longitudinal edge of one bar of every pair to positively position the bars in a predetermined comblnation, the lever-engaged edges of said bars being substantially at right angles to the paths of movement of the levers.

11. In a permutation keyboard, a set or horizontal, sheet metal code bars disposed on edge and arranged in pairs with connections between the bars of each pair for compelling a pair of rock arms mounted on fixed pivots associated with each pair of code bars and arranged to be engaged and shifted in opposite directions respectively by the bars of the corresponding pair, a set of longitudinally movable permutation bars, one connected to each pair of rock arms, and a plurality of key levers, each arranged to engage and thereby shift one of the code bars of every pair and thereby positively position said permutation bars "in a corresponding combination.

13. In a keyboard mechanism, a set of,

horizontally disposed code bars arranged in pairs, the bars of each pair being connected for transverse vertical movement in opposite directions and having complementary notched upper edges,and a plurality of vertically movable key levers extending across said code bars and each arranged to engage the edges of a high portion of one of the bars of every pair to positively position all of the bars in a corresponding combination.

14. In a keyboard mechanism, a number of pairs of horizontal, vertically movable code bars with the bars of each pair adjacent each other, a pair of vertically disposed rock levers mounted on fixed pivots interposed between the bars of each pair and en aging the same adjacent their ends tocompe their vertical movement in opposite directions, said bars havin edges with the e ges of the high portion ex tending in horizontal planes, and a plurality of vertically movable key levers extending across said bars and each arranged to engage a high portion of one bar of every pair to depress the same. i

HOWARD L. KRUM.

complementary notched i 

